SSN is a digest of the day's soccer/football/futbol articles with a focus on the top European leagues and the United States National Team. Below, you’ll find links to articles and video, as well as additional features and commentary. We locate the top news of the day so you can stay updated with ease.

Friday, April 24, 2009

Sir Bobby Robson is hoping to settle an old score after England and Germany players who contested the heart-breaking 1990 World Cup semi-final agreed to re-stage the epic game to boost his fund-raising efforts.

Manchester United host Tottenham, Chelsea go across London to West Ham, Liverpool are at Hull, Arsenal go up to Boro, Everton welcome Manchester City, Villa are at Bolton, Fulham have Stoke at Craven Cottage, West Brom clash with Sunderland and Blackburn welcome Wigan to Ewood Park.

The Professional Footballers' Association will name their Player of the Year this Sunday, with Ryan Giggs the favourite among the five Manchester United players on the shortlist to see off a strong challenge from Steven Gerrard.

Pepe was shown a red card and had to be escorted off the pitch by team-mate Iker Casillas after twice aiming kicks at the prone Javi Casquero, whom he had just pushed over to concede an 87th-minute spot-kick. He also struck Juan Albin in the face.

Carlos Tevez has decided that it will be the "best solution" to leave Manchester United after reluctantly accepting that Sir Alex Ferguson wants to persist with Dimitar Berbatov and Wayne Rooney as his preferred strike partnership. Tevez, who started on the bench against Portsmouth, has attracted offers from Real Madrid and Internazionale but the Argentina forward also said he would consider signing for another English club.

Manchester United 2 - 0 PortsmouthPaul Scholes marked his 600th Manchester United appearance in trademark fashion, supplying the killer through ball that could eventually seal an 18th league championship for the Red Devils in a 2-0 win against Portsmouth.

Manchester United vs. PortsmouthUnited must put behind them their FA Cup disappointment and, presumably with a near-full-strength team, put Pompey to the sword if their Premier League title ambitions are to be realised...Preview

Chelsea vs. EvertonChelsea go into this match chasing silverware on three fronts. But trailing Manchester United by four points in the Premier League table having played one more game, a Champions League and FA Cup double has probably now become their more realistic goal, with the first leg of the semi-final of the former, away to Barcelona next Tuesday. Everton are on course for a Europa League place, and will be sizing Chelsea up ahead of their end-of-season Wembley showpiece, which could result in a first FA Cup since 1995. Victory for the Toffees would see them replacing Aston Villa in fifth place. Both clubs would then have five to play.Preview

The man Zinédine Zidane, a three-times Fifa World Player of the Year, described as “undoubtedly the greatest midfielder of his generation” will make his 600th appearance for Manchester United at home to Portsmouth this evening and, as he grimaces at the eulogies likely to come his way, it is fair to wonder if there has been quite so reluctant a hero as the English champions’ ginger pimpernel.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Liverpool vs. ArsenalKick-off: Tuesday, April 21, 3:00 EDT. Anfield, Liverpool, EnglandU.S. TV: Setanta USAFreshly dismissed from Europe, the Reds continue their push for a maiden Prem crown while the Gunners aim to bounce back from their own cup exit...Preview

Lazy, unprofessional, infuriating. Not fit to clean Eric Cantona’s boots. Juan Sebastián Verón Mark II. They were some of the more polite barbs aimed in the direction of Dimitar Berbatov on fans’ forums yesterday when Manchester United supporters vented their spleen over the Bulgaria striker’s dire miss in the FA Cup semi-final penalty shoot-out defeat by Everton at Wembley on Sunday.

Everton stalwart Tim Howard saved two shots during Sunday’s FA Cup semifinal that went to a penalty shootout. The American stopped the first two tries from Manchester United and Everton never looked back, winning the duel 4-2.

Oguchi Onyewu took on a rare goal-scoring role for Standard Liege against Excelsior Mouscron. The giant centre-back tallied a headed goal in each half to help lead his side to a 3-0 victory in the league and keep pace with leaders Anderlecht.